Culture of Honor 3


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Culture of Honor 3 Jesus is perfect theology! If we see Jesus doing it, then we are on to something good.

Honoring the 5 Fold Ministry Gifts Ephesians 4:11-14 NIV So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Jesus was anointed with all of the 5 Fold Ministry Gifts. It makes perfect sense to me that Jesus, by the Spirit, would equip His Church with His ministry giftedness. Joe Mcgee – “The greatest thing going is the local church. Because it is what Jesus is building.” Matthew 16:18,19 I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…

The Five Ministry Dimensions of Christ 1. Jesus is the Great Apostle Hebrews 3:1 ESV Jesus is called the “… apostle and high priest of our confession…” a.

“Apostle” literally means the sent one.

The apostle is not merely sent: he is empowered with the authority of the one who sends him. Furthermore, he can and may speak only the words his sender gives him. Jesus proclaimed the very Word of God. He brings the gospel, the good news.

b. Jesus was the “Master Builder” who was focused on bringing Heaven to Earth. Matthew 16:18 “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not stand against it” It is only fitting that Jesus would equip the church with other master builders who know how to hear from heaven and equip people. 2.

Jesus is the Great Prophet a.

Scriptural proof: i.

Jesus calls himself a prophet and is disappointed that his own family and townspeople could not see the prophetic anointing which He carried. (Matthew 13:57 “And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”)

ii.

The Pharisees struggled to admit that He was a prophet. But the woman at the well, after Jesus exposed her five failed marriages and her live-in relationship said, “sir I perceive that you are a prophet. (Jn 4:19)

b. The foundation is incomplete without the presence of the prophetic anointing. i.

Jesus modeled the office of the prophet continually by giving supernatural sight to others.

ii.

How often did Jesus ask His disciples and those around Him, “Do you not see or understand?” or “Do you have eyes to see or ears to hear?”

c. It is sad to me that modern day prophets are rejected or dismissed because the anointing of the prophet actually equips us to have our own heavenly experiences with the Lord. Matthew 10:41 ESV The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward… 3.

Jesus is the Great Evangelist a. Jesus was always looking for lost people who were open to the good news i.

Example: Luke 19:1-10 the story of Zaccheus

As usual, many complained because Jesus had gone to be the guest of a “sinner”. Jesus answered their criticisms in v. 10 “the son of man came to seek and to save the lost”

Another example: while being criticized for being in the home of another notorious tax collector (Matthew) and his wild friends, Jesus said to the religious folks, Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” b. Realistically, unless the ministry of any church is reaching those who don’t yet know the Lord the functions of every ministry gift seem a little meaningless

4. Jesus is the Great Pastor a. The word “Pastor” is translated from the Greek word “Poimen”, which is most often translated “Shepherd”. b. Jesus was indeed a Shepherd i.

Jesus said of Himself John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

ii.

His Shepherding (Pastoral) ministry equips the sheep for kingdom work - Hebrews 13:20,21 ESV “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will…” 21

5.

Jesus is the Great Teacher a. Of course Jesus was recognized as a great teacher. He was called Rabbi over and over and over. His teaching was so amazing that people flocked to hear what He had to say. i. ii. iii. iv.

He He He He

taught taught taught taught

with authority. so that people could understand. things that challenged their faith. things that caused them to look up to heavenly things.

b. Jesus did not just teach about the Kingdom of Heaven, he demonstrated it with power! i.

Jesus was the ultimate “show and tell” teacher

ii.

Jesus taught them what to do, He showed them how to do it, and then he released them to do it.

The Jesus Gifts Ephesians 4:11 “So Christ himself gave…”

The Apostolic 1. The Upside: They are big picture people; they are pioneers; they are builders; they are fearless. People rally to them and want to be trained by them. Sign and wonders follow them. They are action people. They are vision people… they always have a new idea. 2. The Downside: They don’t have time or much tolerance for the neediness of people. a. Acts 6:2-4 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 3

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b. Complimenting gifts that operate are Faith; Gifts of Healings; Working of Miracles (1 Corinthians 12)

The Prophetic 1. The Upside: Prophets are perceivers; they help give powerful direction to the saints. They equip others to hear from God for themselves. a. Ex: Acts 13:1-3 ESV Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers…While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 3

b. The great Apostle Paul was sent forth to begin his ministry at the direction and confirmation of the prophets. 2. Downside: They can be strange and emotional. They can be wrong. People can rely too much on a person with a prophetic word to give them direction. Sometimes prophetic people think they know more than those who they should submit to. Complimenting Gifts: Word of Wisdom; Word of Knowledge; Discerning of Spirits. Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues Church Protocol: We should release prophetic gifts in an orderly way according to 1 Corinthians 14. If you have a prophetic word from God, bring it to one of the pastors who are leading the meeting. If at all possible, submit it for a confirmation before releasing it.

The Evangelistic

1. The Upside: A passion and focus on souls for those who do not know Jesus yet. It helps us keep the main thing the main thing. a. Phillip is identified as an Evangelist in Acts 21. We see a glimpse of his ministry in Samaria: Acts 8:12 NIV when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. b. Note: Phillip gets them saved and baptized, then the Apostles come in and bring them into the power of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 2. The Downside: Evangelist are so passionate about the lost getting saved, they are usually frustrated with those who don’t seem to share the same passion. They are usually bored and frustrated at another bible study or pot luck dinners! Ughh…. They have a tendency to not flow well with pastors and teachers. Nevertheless we are all on the same team. We need the Evangelist Anointing to win the lost and to equip the saints to do the same

The Pastoral 1. The Upside: Pastors naturally want people to feel loved, protected, and provided for. Like a shepherd guarding and providing for his sheep, pastors bring security into the church. Pastors care for their sheep and like a shepherd will risk their lives defending their church. 2. The Downside: Pastoral people can often be shortsighted, only looking after the people in their own pasture. Their love for people can sometimes enable immature behavior. Leaders who are pastoral can become closed off to others… “my four and no more.” Pastors need the Apostolic Ministries to come alongside to help them so they think globally. They need the prophetic to help them keep a focus on the agenda of heaven. They need evangelist to direct their hearts to reaching potential sheep outside of their flock.

The Teaching Gift

1. The Upside: Gifted teachers are able to take the complexities of the scripture and the Kingdom of God and make it simple enough to grasp. Teaching gifts hold us close to the plumb line of God’s word. A well taught church is free from confusion and distraction. Therefore they are ready to advance the kingdom. 2. The Downside: Our current church culture has a high value for pastors and teachers. But when the power of the gospel is replaced by concepts; arguments, and powerless theology the Kingdom stops advancing and division over ideas often arise. a.

The teacher has a deep driving need to be right and can substitute and be satisfied with head knowledge more than the intimacy and power of the Spirit.

b. We live in a day where there is a myriad of teachers fixated on who’s right and who’s wrong. This is a huge downside.

The Equipping Goal of the 5 Fold Ministry Gifts: 1. Incredible intimacy with the Father 2. Life empowered by the Spirit 3. Authority over the flesh and the devil